NCJ Number
80111
Journal
Management Information Service Report Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1979) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1979
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the emanations, scope, and costs of local official corruption and outlines some steps for reducing corruption and its impact when it occurs.
Abstract
Among the effects of corruption by appointed and elected officials and public employees is the rise of public dissatisfaction with local government. Furthermore, when officials take money from individuals or firms in the city, the costs of government rise, regulations go unenforced, and public health or safety may be endangered. Finally, corruption destroys the accountability of employees to their supervisors and of officials to the citizens they represent. Among steps that can be taken to control local corruption are simple diagnostic procedures to identify the areas where corruption is most likely to occur or where it may already be taking place. Ordinances and codes can clarify expectations of official integrity and reduce potential conflicts of interest. Systematic management procedures can increase the ability of supervisors to monitor the activities of their employees and to investigate actual or potential problem areas. An anticorruption program model aims to establish management techniques that can maintain accountability and integrity at any level of government in any department or agency. This approach consists of five elements: management environment, management control, audit control, training, and investigation. Footnotes, graphs, and checklists are provided. About 30 references are given. (Author summary modified)